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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Police Officer Remembered

We have had a rash it seems of police officers being killed. Just recently another young husband and father lost his life in a senseless shooting while only doing the job he was hired to do. I heard the following poem read by another police officer and it touched my heart:

Judgement Day for a Police Officer

. . .author unknown

The policeman stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Policeman.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To my Church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord I guess I ain't,

Because those of us who carry badges

Can't always be a Saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my work was rough,

and sometimes I've been violent,

Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep,

I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place

among the people here.

They never wanted me around

Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the Throne

Where the Saints had often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,

You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.

After reading the poem, this patrol man left to do traffic stops--the same kind of job being done by his fellow officer who was gunned down.